Family Rules

I'm trying a new app for blogging - hope this works well!

My "little" nieces are growing into such cool chicks.

I love being a part of their lives and making memories with them....even if it means going to Target at midnight on Black Friday....

Thankful Thoughts (and Snoopy)

I remember when the kids were small and we'd constantly remind them to say "thank you."

It took awhile to learn the "TH" sound, so we heard a lot of:

Tank You!

or my favorite,

Fank You!

I was pretty surprised this morning when I learned how my oldest child recently gave thanks for ....well, for being punished. 

Apparently, his teacher had given him a writing assignment as a consequence and he literally thanked her.  (His sense of justice has always been strong.)  I couldn't help but think I would never have had the same reaction.  Instead, I would probably have pouted and had a pity party. 

But thankfulness?  Wow.  See how that changes the entire circumstance?

Likewise, we are called to be thankful even in the midst of discipline or challenge. 

It's not even a choice -- it's a command:  be thankful!

"To give thanks in solitude is enough..." - Victor Hugo



Poetry Thursday

The Sacred
by Stephen Dunn

After the teacher asked if anyone had
a sacred place
and the students fidgeted and shrank

in their chairs, the most serious of them all
said it was his car,
being in it alone, his tape deck playing

things he'd chosen, and others knew the truth
had been spoken
and began speaking about their rooms,

their hiding places, but the car kept coming up,
the car in motion
music filling it, and sometimes one other person

who understood the bright altar of the dashboard
and how far away
a car could take him from the need

to speak, or to answer, the key
in having a key
and putting it on, and going.

Really?

So, this is what I've heard:

A box of yellow cake mix and one can of pumpkin with NO OTHER INGREDIENTS is supposed to make a moist, delicious muffin/cupcake with a hint of pumpkin flavor. 

Seriously?

You know I'm gonna try this.  It really appeals to the lazy baker in me.  I'll keep you posted.

My Favorite Video Right Now

I love how he takes a 'dip' --- French onion dip, that is.

Tim, we love you!!

Poetry Thursday

Lost
by David Wagoner

Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you
Are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here,
And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,
Must ask permission to know it and be known.
The forest breathes.  Listen.  It answers,
I have made this place around you.
If you leave it, you may come back again, saying Here.
No two trees are the same to Raven.
No two branches are the same to Wren.
If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,
You are surely lost. Stand still.  The forest knows
Where you are.  You must let it find you.

Top Ten Reasons I Love Teaching

10. I get to carry a pointy stick like this one and wield it like a ninja. 

      Not really, but I'd love to try this sometime.

9.  Shopping for school clothes.  For myself.

8.  Getting birthday and Christmas presents from students. 

7.  Talking about my favorite books and getting paid for it.

6.   Having a spectacular library across the hall.

5.   Office supplies rock my world. 

4.   I'm much better at decorating my classroom than my own home.

3.   It's kind of like doing stand-up comedy everyday.  Especially when I'm teaching grammar. 

      It's a riot.

2.   Fire Drills!!  It's like extra recess!

1.   I know, you think I'm going to say "June, July, and August."  Not so, Nemo. 

      The answer is:  students.  They make me happy.  They make me laugh.  They make me food. 

      I love them.